Knox inspired for Augusta outing by 1997 Masters

Russell Knox is relishing his first outing at the Masters and admits he was inspired by watching Tiger Woods’ Augusta heroics as a kid.

The 30-year-old qualified for the year’s first major by winning the WGC-HSBC Champions in China last November and will tee it up in Georgia on Thursday for his first taste of what many consider the greatest tournament of them all.

Born in Inverness, the Scot went to Jacksonville University and opted to ply his trade on the PGA Tour stateside and has carved out a decent career for himself to date.

He has just one win to his name but has earned plenty of money with some solid displays over the past few years, and finished second in the OHL Classic at Mayakoba the week after his maiden success.

This year has not been so good for Knox as he has yet to challenge for any title although he has been consistent with only one missed cut in eight outings.

The excitement levels are about to be ramped up considerably at Augusta, however, and Knox admits the venue has lived up to his expectations.

“I’ve been one time a couple of months ago and that was the first time I’d been on the grounds and it was as amazing as you could have hoped,” he said.

Woods is not playing this week as he continues to recover from back surgery but it is the four-time Masters winner that the man from north of the border idolised as he was growing up.

“My first memory is 1997 watching Tiger destroy everyone; I was 12 and just getting into golf and getting the passion for it,” Knox added. “Anyone who is my kind of age and on the tour, Tiger inspired us all. That is the first Masters memory I kind of grabbed on to.”

Tagged Augusta, Russell Knox, The Masters